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Mary's Mammogram Story

Jun 6, 2019

Mary Encourages Women to Get an Annual Mammogram

In 2010, Mary Esch was in search of a way to give back to her community. The Bartlett resident looked into volunteer opportunities, and she decided to spend her time helping the patients and staff at Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett.

Mary never planned on being a patient at the hospital. Then, the unexpected happened.

“I had skipped my mammogram last year,” explained Mary. “I figured that because I am 85 years old, I also probably didn’t need to have it this year. But, I finally decided to schedule my mammogram at Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett. I had no idea that anything could be wrong.”

However, Mary’s screening mammogram showed that there could be a problem. She returned to the hospital for a diagnostic mammogram and needle biopsy. The tests revealed that Mary had breast cancer.

“I wasn’t scared,” said Mary. “I’ve had colon cancer and was able to get through that. So, I knew that there would be a treatment for me and that faith and family would help me through the process.”

The good news was that the cancer had been caught in the early stages. However, treatment would still require a full mastectomy being performed at Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett.

“I was treated so well during my stay in the hospital,” Mary said with a smile on her face. “I am so thankful that we discovered the cancer in the beginning stages. The surgery was a success, and I was not required to do any chemotherapy or radiation.”

Mary says she is fully recovered and back to living a normal life. However, she said she learned a valuable lesson that she wants to share with others.

“I have two daughters, five grandchildren, and 15 great grandchildren. I feel very fortunate to have caught the breast cancer in the early stages so that I will get to continue to spend time with them. I just want to encourage women not to take their health for granted. It’s so important to get an annual mammogram.”